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Former India seamer Karsan Ghavri expressed his displeasure over batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s inability to “put his foot down” and object to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to rename the Pataudi Trophy ahead of the 2025 summer series against India.
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Established in commemoration of 75 years of India’s first Test match appearance during the 2007 series, the ECB honoured the Trophy in the name of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who represented both countries, and his son Mansur Ali Khan (aka “Tiger”) Pataudi, who was regarded as one of India’s finest-ever captains, leading in 40 of the 46 matches in his Test career.
However, with the name and the trophy coming under the ECB’s discretion, the board decided to rechristen the series earlier this year, replacing Pataudi’s name with Tendulkar and England pace legend James Anderson enjoying the honours.
Ghavi slams BCCI, Tendulkar
Speaking on a YouTube show with Vickey Lalwani, Ghavri expressed his disbelief over how such a move came into fruition. A new-look India Test side under Shubman Gill featured in the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, drawing level with Ben Stokes’ England 2-2 in a thrilling five-match series.
“That is very wrong. Number one, the Australia-West Indies series is always called the Frank Worrell Trophy. The India-Australia Trophy is always called the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. If its name changed, Gavaskar poore India ko hila ke rakh dega (Gavaskar will shake the whole of India),” Ghavri said.
The 74-year-old Ghavri, who represented India in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs, criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Tendulkar for their silence in rebranding the Pataudi Trophy. Tendulkar himself later revealed that he had proposed an idea to address the criticism over the renaming of the trophy, urging that the Pataudi Medal of Excellence be given to the series-winning captain.
Sachin should have said ‘no’
“The BCCI should’ve put its foot down with the MCC and the ECB. Tiger’s name shouldn’t have been removed.
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“In the same context, when it came to Sachin Tendulkar, that this trophy would be changed, and this trophy would be named after you and Anderson, Sachin should’ve said no. Objection is different,” Ghavri added.
“In the first place, you should’ve put your foot down and should’ve said ‘No, I don’t want to use my name because Tiger Pataudi’s name is already there. He’s a legend of Indian cricket. If you want to give medals, use our name. Trophy’s name should remain the same,” Ghavri remarked.
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